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Independent bike shops urged to enter inaugural awards as deadline approaches

16 Apr 2026

The ACT is urging independent bike shops to enter the first ever Local Bike Shop Awards before entries close on Sunday 19th April.
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First ever Local Bike Shop Week Awards launches to celebrate independent cycle retailers

1 Apr 2026

An awards scheme celebrating independent bike shops that go above and beyond for their communities launches this week.
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February retail sales dip signals growing consumer anxiety, warns ACT parent company Bira

30 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that falling retail sales in February are an early sign of consumers reining in their spending amid growing economic uncertainty.
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Bira calls for business rates reform and action on overseas imports alongside new government investment

26 Mar 2026

Bira has welcomed the government's £319 million investment in high street revitalisation, while warning that without reform of business rates and action on overseas imports, many high... Read more…

Chancellor's High Street Roundtable | Campaign Update from ACT parent company Bira

19 Mar 2026

The Chancellor held a roundtable discussion on a future high street strategy last week, with Bira the sole voice representing smaller retail businesses. Read an update on Bira's place at a... Read more…

Independent bike shop takes stand against selling or repairing e-scooters with police echoing plea

18 Mar 2026

An independent bike shop is refusing to sell or repair e-scooters over concerns about how they are being used, with the area’s police force backing the call and urging others to follow... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira backs calls for online marketplace accountability over dangerous product safety failures

13 Mar 2026

Findings from consumer rights publication Which? add to calls from the E-Bike Positive campaign to better scrutinise these sites and promote quality e-bikes from reputable manufacturers and... Read more…

Independent retailers warn Spring Statement missed opportunity as geopolitical tensions threaten high street recovery

5 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that the Chanellor's Spring Statement offered no new support for high street businesses, as rising tensions in the Middle East threaten to push up energy... Read more…

Scottish bike shop and cafe expands into bigger premises as council recognises 'positive impact on economy'

3 Mar 2026

A Scottish bike repair shop and cafe has recently moved premises into a bigger unit thanks to a growth in business, with the local council noting the positive impact it would have on the local... Read more…

Local Bike Shop Week returns this May, with independent retailers reporting strong benefits from past events

19 Feb 2026

Local Bike Shop Week is approaching, with this year’s celebrations taking place from Sunday 3 May to Saturday 9 May 2026 - and retailers have highlighted the positive experiences they've... Read more…

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Upskill your team with Microsoft online courses through Activate Learning

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

ACT’s Cytech delivery partner Activate Learning, of which Activate Cycle Academy is a part, is offering FREE online Microsoft accredited online courses for employers to enable their staff to upskill in a particular digital topic.

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Activate Learning has been successful in securing funding from the Department for Education to deliver these courses free for local businesses in Berkshire, North Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey, although employees taking part do not need to be based in these areas. There are no limits to the number of courses or the number of employees that can sign up and they're available until the end of March 2023.

The courses are studied remotely by your employee through the Microsoft Learn portal and take on average 30 hours to complete. All learners are supported by a Digital Coach throughout.

There are six Microsoft Accreditation courses available free of charge, each tailored to meet the needs of local employers. They are:

AI FUNDAMENTALS - Concepts related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how Microsoft Azure can create solutions.

CLOUD COMPUTING FUNDAMENTALS - Cloud computing is the delivery of services to offer faster, innovative and flexible resources.

CLOUD SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS - The fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity (SCI) across cloud-based services.

DATA FUNDAMENTALS - Identify and describe core data concepts and implement with Microsoft Azure.

DYNAMICS 365 FUNDAMENTALS - Develop effective systems to manage customer interaction.

POWER PLATFORM FUNDAMENTALS - Create simple Power Apps, connect data, and build a chatbot.

For more information, click here.

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